Summer fundraisers off to a good start
By Deborah Myers
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) held the sixth annual Wags to Wishes Gala on May 19 at a new venue, the Union Event Center. Beginning at 5 p.m. for all sponsors and their guests, and for attendees an hour later, HSU had shelter pets mingling in the crowd with chaperones working hard to get them forever homes. We enjoyed getting to know the adorable cats in the Mini Kitty City lounge. We were offered delicious tastings, wine and champagne as the volunteers catered to our questions and every need. The ballroom was enchanting and the music superb. The open bar, gourmet dining set us in the right mood for the live auction. Everyone had a blast and it was fun to watch the big budget Sponsor tables one up each other in the live auction. The cards were popping up so fast I couldn’t keep up. $10,000… no $11,000… Finally, they were jumping out of their chairs to get a speaking part in a movie with Bruce Willis! I believe it was tied at $13,000 making the total donation to HSU $26,000 and two speaking parts awarded. The donations small or large made all the difference in the lives of animals at HSU. Everyone had a fabulous time. I wonder how they will one up this event next year? It was a magical night.
Utah’s own Wild West Cat Fancier club hosted by founders Tristan Anderson and Chase Long presented the 2018 second annual Rocky Mountain Roundup Cat Show in cooperation with The International Cat Association (TICA) on Saturday and Sunday June 2 – 3 at the Hotel RL. Tickets for the show were reasonably priced at $8 with special discounts for children and seniors. The public was encouraged to bring 2 cans of cat food or cat litter for Utah’s local Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS). Also, a portion of the proceeds were donated to CAWS.
The parking lot was filled with travel vans from as far away as Canada. The show was a huge success. Unlike the dog shows, it was surprisingly quiet and peaceful with the soft sounds of cats meowing. Most of the participants were cat hobbyists, meaning they are not breeders, they show their own companion cats in the hopes of winning ribbons and making new friends. Rescue cats were also included in the judging. Proud feline parents travel from show to show on the circuit enjoying a common passion for cats and the preservation of cat breeds.
The PARK CITY Film Series helps bring awareness to the rescue efforts of Nuzzles & Co
The Park City Film Series presented ISLE OF DOGS the animated film written and directed by Wes Anderson, with Nuzzles & Co, a 501(c)3 rescue group May 25 – 27. Undenderwritten by Pet Wants Sandy and Pets in the City Magazine, the three night event presented rescue dogs from the Four Corners Indian Reservation who are now available for adoption. Each night Nuzzles & Co., Pet Wants Sandy and Pets in the City Magazine were given time to speak to the audience regarding all that they do for animals in our state through rescuing animals, education and health.
Yappy Hour at Liberty Park exceeds all expectations for a great time for dogs and their companion people.
Utah Mazda Dealers presented the first event of the Dog Days of Summer and Salt Lake City’s Yappy Hour at Liberty Park on Tuesday June 12 from 6 – 9 p.m. NOW 97.9 and 103.1 WAVE set up several vendors, food and beverages, live music and fun activities. The dogs and their people just kept filing into the Yappy Hour party event. The live music was enjoyable for everyone including the dogs and the fenced in dog park was packed with well-behaved canines. Many vendor booths provided treats for people and their dogs. Although the parking was a bit difficult everyone found ways to park in adjacent neighborhoods and walked in with their dogs. Estimated dogs possibly hit several hundred in attendance.
Be sure to check out the Yappy Hour event schedule on the inside back cover of this issue as well as the ads announcing summer events inside!
